Fake Number Plates: Pennsylvania Railroad

Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) steam locomotives were instantly
recognizable by their distinctive number plates -- either round
or keystone-shaped -- mounted on the
front of the smokebox. Only a few PRR
steam locomotives have survived, and salvaged number plates
from those that were scrapped are especially
prized by railroadiana collectors.

Since the end off PRR steam -- roughly the mid 1950s -- an unknown
number of PRR number plates have been reproduced. In fact, reproductions
continue to be made. Some have been made of a material different
from the originals and therefore are reasonably easy to identify.
The originals were made of cast iron; some reproductions
have been made of a resin material (see page
on resin reproductions ) or aluminum.
However, other reproductions have apparently been made of cast
iron, and these can be more problematic to detect.

While
there is controversy over the
ethics of producing plate reproductions [see
footnote], everyone can agree on the importance of documenting
them to the extent possible.
The big problem with PRR number plate reproductions
is that the extent and scope of the problem is more or less a
mystery. A model railroad club in Pennsylvania
reportedly made some reproductions decades ago, but it seems most
of the details have been lost to time. There are rumors of other
reproductions, but these are unconfirmed.

Following are examples of PRR number plate reproductions. More
information will be posted as we get it. See Contact Us page to email us with
comments or information.

Below: Different
views of a round reproduction PRR number plate, courtesy
of Bill Decker. It is cast iron and weighs approximately
25 pounds. It was supposedly cast from the original mold
back in the late 60's or early 70's by a model
railroad organization. The most obvious sign that this is
a reproduction is the shape of some of the numbers:
The "4" and "0" are
both incorrect per the tracings for numerals blueprints
from the PRR and obviously different when compared with
authentic examples. Also there is some minor variation in
the size of the plate: the
originals are 16 3/4" wide per the blueprint drawing
and authentic originals; this one is 16 1/2 across the face
although 16 3/4" across the back. Click on the thumbnails
for larger versions; use your BACK button to return to this
page.

Below: Different
views of a reproduction PRR keystone number
plate, courtesy of Bill Decker. Right: An
authentic PRR keystone number plate
-- photo taken at the 2005 Gaithersburg railroadiana show.
Another authentic keystone plate is shown at the bottom of
the page. Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

Below: Different views of a
reproduction PRR Class T1 keystone number plate. Notice the
bend or crease in the plate -- the originals had such a crease
to conform to the shape of the T1's nose.
Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

Additional comments....

Almost all of the PRR number plates that I have seen
have had a casting
number on the back. This includes original plates and reproduction
plates.
I have seen and had one original PRR number plate that did NOT
have a
casting number. That was an exception to the general rule. The story
that I have heard is that the [---] Model Railroad Club had
access to the original PRR patterns many years ago. They had plates
made up
so that they could have a complete set of PRR class oval builder's
plates
for their display.

The [---] Model Railroad Club, as I understand it,
made reproductions in the 1960s to match real builders' plates
in their collection for display purposes. They were never intended
to be passed off as the real thing.

There
are also real keystones
and round number plates with added on numbers. These were made
to replace those pieces that were damaged either by wrecks or
rough treatment in a shop. Some had their original numbers ground
off and new numbers applied with screws by the PRR. Although
close in design, these new numbers are not exact to the plans
like the original cast ones. In fact there are J1/J1a plates that
had the screwed-on numbers probably from the start. Casting was
being phased out in the 1950s for this purpose as steam shops
cut back. The cast pieces bring much more than those with added
on numbers although both are the real thing. Also
in looking at the numbers, it should be noted that the size
and dimensions changed slightly for three and less digit pieces
as compared to four-digit plates. The three-digit remakes have
the same size numbers as the four-digit ones.

At the prices these items command you have to be educated. The
trained eye is the best as you can be fooled easily.

I have seen fake brass keystones with the number
cast on the back as well as cast iron reproductions that also
had casting numbers on the back.

As background, here's some information on authentic PRR number plates: The first keystone appeared in September 1927.
The round numbers plates were replaced on passenger locomotives
with keystones in 1929-1930.

Round Number Plates: No Casting Numbers -- originals, although
there were some Baldwin plates that had a Baldwin casting number
in them and the numbers did not exactly match PRR standard blueprints;
X10010A -- futura; X10010B -- replacements.

The
PRR sold number plates directly to collectors starting in the
1950's. They were always shipped REA. Round number plate were
$4.75 and a builders plate was priced at $3.30. From the many
early collectors I have spoken with, you got what they sent you
rather than a specific piece (or number) that you may have wanted.

For camparison, this authentic PRR number plate
was sent in by a collector with the following information: "Here
is a picture of my keystone numberplate from K4s 5475.
This is a genuine cast iron keystone and not a reproduction. It
has X18183 letters cast in the back of the number plate, measures
20 inches wide at the widest point and 17 inches wide at the top
of the keystone, and is 17-5/8 inches high. The three mounting
lugs have been shortened to 1/2 inch for mounting to a walnut wood
and strap iron bracket that is mounted to a walnut wood base." Click
on the image for a larger version.

Thanks to all who contributed information,
photos and comments to this page!

Footnote.

Nothing generates more controversy
in collecting than the subject of fakes and reproductions.
While there are some clear cases of fraud where most everyone
agrees on the ethics (or lack thereof), some cases are
not so clear cut. For example, as attested to by comments on this
page, some reproduction number
plates were made decades ago as hobbyist projects or commemorative
items with no fraudulent intent to make money by deception. Plates
were less expensive back then, the number of collectors was smaller,
and generally these items didn't quite have the
"holy relic" patina that they have today. As has been
stated many times, there is nothing wrong with reproductions identifiable
as such. The problem occurs when people are fooled or misled.
The policy of this website is to report information for collectors
to use in making decisions but to avoid naming names or making
judgments about the intent of those who have produced reproductions.